INTERNATIONAL
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard announces retirement
The 36-year-old announced that his playing days are over on Thursday: “Don’t overstay your welcome and play on until you find it embarrassing”.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has announced that his professional playing days have come to an end, calling time on 18 years in the game. Gerrard hit 120 goals in 504 appearances for Liverpool, including an unforgettable strike against Olympiacos in the Champions League which he would go on to lift, after his header kickstarted the Reds’ famous comeback in the 2005 final.
Famous No.8
The Whiston-born midfielder spent almost all of his playing career with his hometown club, making his first team debut agaed 18 against Blackburn Rovers on 29 November 1998. He even rejected a lucrative offer to join Chelsea to remain at Anfield. He finally left in last year, playing his final game at home to Crystal Palace in front of a sell-out crowd on 16 May.
He continued his career at LA Galaxy but never recovered his form of old and played his final game against Colorado Rapids earlier this month.
Bow out while ahead
Today, Gerrard explained his decision to quit while he is still ahead. “There are a few reasons. Your body starts talking to you. The pains and the aches become more regular. I’ve listened to people over he years, important people in the game who I trust, and they said have said to be, always go with a tiny bit left. Don’t overstay your welcome and play on until you find it embarrassing. I can’t feel that’s not too far away so now is the right time.”
We started at Liverpool together at 11. He was brilliant then. He went on to be world class. Liverpool's greatest player. Congrats Stevie G.
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) 24 November 2016